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Widowhood in Africa presents unique challenges for women due to cultural and social factors. This paper discusses the challenges of widowhood in African contexts with a view that various social, cultural, legal, financial, and economic issues are at the centre of the challenges widows face in Africa. A thematic literature review was used to examine the multifaceted challenges faced by widows in African societies. Findings show that widows in Africa face multiple challenges, including limited healthcare access, property rights, social support, and harmful traditional practices, impacting their well-being across various dimensions. Cultural attitudes, legal barriers, resource constraints, limited awareness, and the complex interplay of these factors hinder effective interventions. The literature review also found that changing cultural norms, improving access to education and economic opportunities, and strengthening social protection systems are crucial steps towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for widows. The paper concludes that comprehensive and coordinated strategies are necessary to address these multifaceted challenges, including legal reforms, economic empowerment, awareness campaigns, and the provision of essential resources. Further, collaborative implementation of these strategies can promote gender equality, reduce poverty, and enhance the lives of widows in African countries. Further, there is a need for the urgency of comprehensive interventions and support systems to alleviate the hardships faced by widows in African societies.

This study explores the transformation and challenges faced by traditional African marriage systems in the modern era, focusing on both internal cultural shifts and external influences such as globalization, westernisation, and legal reforms. Using secondary data from credible sources, including scholarly articles, books, and online platforms, a qualitative research design was employed, with thematic analysis as the primary method of data interpretation. The study identifies key themes undermining traditional marriage systems, such as socioeconomic pressures, shifting gender roles, the influence of Western ideals, and legal changes. The analysis reveals that while traditional marriage practices are being redefined, they continue to play a significant role in maintaining social cohesion and cultural values within African societies. The study highlights the evolving nature of marriage, particularly in response to the growing financial independence of women, the breakdown of traditional family structures, and the increasing influence of Western marriage models. Recommendations are provided to preserve the cultural integrity of African marriages while adapting them to modern realities, including promoting cultural education, economic adaptation of marriage practices, gender equality, and legal reforms to protect and acknowledge customary marriages. The findings underline the need for African societies to balance tradition and modernity, ensuring that marriage remains a vital institution that upholds communal values while accommodating contemporary aspirations.

In South Africa, early marriage continues to pose a serious obstacle to girls' education and gender equality, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of Early Marriage on Girl child’s Education in South Africa. The study highlighted the main causes, effects, and legal frameworks of early marriage in South Africa by combining data from international organizations like UNICEF with government reports and current literature. Early marriage also limits females' prospects for career and personal growth, resulting in long-term socioeconomic disadvantages. Moreover, to lower the rate of early marriage and lessen its detrimental impacts on girls' education, this study emphasized the necessity of more robust regulatory enforcement, focused educational interventions, and community-based activities. The study employed the qualitative approach with the use of the comprehensive desktop approach to investigate the effects of early marriage on girls' educational performance. The findings, a multifaceted strategy is required to address the underlying issues and give girls the tools and chances they need to finish their school and succeed in society. This study used extensive desktop research to investigate the effects of early marriage on girls' educational performance.

Chobeliso, as it is known in Lesotho, is the practice of abducting young girls for marriage. Despite global authorities establishing child marriage as a violation of human rights, chobeliso continues to be practiced, particularly in communities that perceive it as a customary, religious and/or social norm. Furthermore, limitations of legislation may inadvertently contribute to perpetuating forced child marriages. This paper explores the role of the Lesotho legislature in responding to child abductions for forced marriages. A sample of 10 adult female participants from the Semonkong area in Lesotho, who were abducted and forced to marry as children, were selected using a snowball sampling technique. In-depth interviews were used to collect data that were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that most women were abducted and forced into marriage while they were under the legal age of marriage and the offenders were not prosecuted. There are limitations of law in prosecuting cultural practices considered customary by the Basotho people. Even though existing laws protect children's rights, Basotho people perceive forced marriage as acceptable. This paper argues that preventing forced child marriage requires strengthened legal frameworks to ensure increased awareness, greater enforcement of existing laws and severe punishment to increase deterrence measures.

This literature-based study, titled “Sirha ra Wansati Rile Vukatini,” a Xitsonga word meaning “the strength or endurance of a woman lies in her marriage,” examines the contemporary variables influencing Tsonga women’s choices to persist in unsatisfactory marriages. This study examines the socio-cultural and economic background of Munghonghoma Village within the Greater Giyani Municipality, Mopani District, employing an exploratory qualitative methodology based on current literature regarding gender, culture, and marital dynamics among Tsonga women. Literature review findings indicate that Tsonga women frequently endure unsatisfactory marriages due to economic reliance, entrenched cultural norms, and apprehension regarding the social shame linked to divorce or separation. Emotional bonds with their spouses and apprehension for their children's welfare also influence their choices to remain. Literature suggests that several Tsonga women endure diverse forms of physical, mental, and financial abuse, which compromise their entire well-being. The study suggests that ingrained patriarchal practices, gender inequity, and restricted economic empowerment persist in perpetuating women's vulnerability inside marriage. It advises that governmental entities, religious organisations, and community stakeholders establish initiatives that foster women's empowerment, economic autonomy, and awareness of their rights to mitigate the normalisation of abuse condoned by the cultural ideal of “Sirha ra Wansati Rile Vukatini.”.

Cultural practice Gonyalelwa lapa’ occurs when a family chooses to marry a woman, regardless of whether she has children or not, with the intention of her bearing children for their deceased son. Nevertheless, young individuals who are raised within the context of ‘Gonyalelwa lapa’ encounter certain difficulties. This manuscript asserts that, despite these challenges, there are also favorable perspectives regarding this cultural practice. The research endeavor aimed to examine and elucidate the reflections of young individuals who were raised within the framework of ‘Gonyalelwa lapa’. For this purpose, qualitative research methods were employed, specifically adopting a phenomenological approach within an exploratory, descriptive, and contextual framework. Data was gathered from a sample of twenty-three young individuals (including both males and females) utilizing purposive and snowball sampling techniques and subsequently subjected to thematic data analysis. The investigation exposed that growing up in ‘Gonyalelwa lapa’ has had an impact on the youth in diverse manners. These encounters entail mistreatment, insufficient monetary assistance resulting in starvation, gender-based prejudice, especially directed towards females who are not biologically related to their mothers' "marital family", and sensing exclusion and inhospitality within these kinships. Transdisciplinary contribution: This study contributes to the understanding of the effects of ‘Gonyalelwa lapa’ cultural practice on young people from a variety of disciplines such as cultural dimensions, psychological and socio-legal. The findings call for the need for multidisciplinary interventions and policy makers to mitigate the negative consequences of ‘Gonyalelwa lapa’ cultural practice on young people who are raised within this context.

Polygamous marriages are a formally recognised family form within customary law in South Africa and specific cultural communities. However, little attention has been paid to the consequences of living in a polygamous family as a child. A study exploring the effects of Polygamous marriages on Youth Behaviour was conducted in the Ha-Makuya village, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study used a qualitative research approach to investigate the issue. The study used an exploratory research design to explore the topic. Participants were selected through a purposive sampling of six young people aged between 18 to 35 years from polygamous families in the Ha-Makuya village. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and then processed using thematic analysis. The results obtained showed that children in polygamous families face the difficulties associated with sibling rivalry, complex family dynamics, and stereotyping. However, they are adaptive and have developed coping mechanisms to counter these effects. The participants also said they needed more involvement from their fathers and the support of community-based programs. Beyond its sociocultural focus, the study offers insights into human capital development and community resilience in rural ecosystems, dimensions that influence long-term economic participation and youth empowerment. These findings are relevant for policymakers, educators, and social entrepreneurs designing youth-centred interventions in culturally diverse communities. The study recommends culturally sensitive programs, including school-based counselling and community partnerships, to strengthen youth well-being and contribute to sustainable local development.

This literature-based study, titled “Sirha ra Wansati Rile Vukatini,” a Xitsonga word meaning “the strength or endurance of a woman lies in her marriage,” examines the contemporary variables influencing Tsonga women’s choices to persist in unsatisfactory marriages. This study examines the socio-cultural and economic background of Munghonghoma Village within the Greater Giyani Municipality, Mopani District, employing an exploratory qualitative methodology based on current literature regarding gender, culture, and marital dynamics among Tsonga women. Literature review findings indicate that Tsonga women frequently endure unsatisfactory marriages due to economic reliance, entrenched cultural norms, and apprehension regarding the social shame linked to divorce or separation. Emotional bonds with their spouses and apprehension for their children's welfare also influence their choices to remain. Literature suggests that several Tsonga women endure diverse forms of physical, mental, and financial abuse, which compromise their entire well-being. The study suggests that ingrained patriarchal practices, gender inequity, and restricted economic empowerment persist in perpetuating women's vulnerability inside marriage. It advises that governmental entities, religious organisations, and community stakeholders establish initiatives that foster women's empowerment, economic autonomy, and awareness of their rights to mitigate the normalisation of abuse condoned by the cultural ideal of “Sirha ra Wansati Rile Vukatini.”.

This study explores the transformation and challenges faced by traditional African marriage systems in the modern era, focusing on both internal cultural shifts and external influences such as globalization, westernisation, and legal reforms. Using secondary data from credible sources, including scholarly articles, books, and online platforms, a qualitative research design was employed, with thematic analysis as the primary method of data interpretation. The study identifies key themes undermining traditional marriage systems, such as socioeconomic pressures, shifting gender roles, the influence of Western ideals, and legal changes. The analysis reveals that while traditional marriage practices are being redefined, they continue to play a significant role in maintaining social cohesion and cultural values within African societies. The study highlights the evolving nature of marriage, particularly in response to the growing financial independence of women, the breakdown of traditional family structures, and the increasing influence of Western marriage models. Recommendations are provided to preserve the cultural integrity of African marriages while adapting them to modern realities, including promoting cultural education, economic adaptation of marriage practices, gender equality, and legal reforms to protect and acknowledge customary marriages. The findings underline the need for African societies to balance tradition and modernity, ensuring that marriage remains a vital institution that upholds communal values while accommodating contemporary aspirations.

In South Africa, early marriage continues to pose a serious obstacle to girls' education and gender equality, especially in rural and underprivileged areas. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of Early Marriage on Girl child’s Education in South Africa. The study highlighted the main causes, effects, and legal frameworks of early marriage in South Africa by combining data from international organizations like UNICEF with government reports and current literature. Early marriage also limits females' prospects for career and personal growth, resulting in long-term socioeconomic disadvantages. Moreover, to lower the rate of early marriage and lessen its detrimental impacts on girls' education, this study emphasized the necessity of more robust regulatory enforcement, focused educational interventions, and community-based activities. The study employed the qualitative approach with the use of the comprehensive desktop approach to investigate the effects of early marriage on girls' educational performance. The findings, a multifaceted strategy is required to address the underlying issues and give girls the tools and chances they need to finish their school and succeed in society. This study used extensive desktop research to investigate the effects of early marriage on girls' educational performance.